Lakhman Jagat of Kuliadongri village in Nuapada district died early in the morning of 25, October. The village belongs to Karanbaheli Panchayat under Sinapali block of the district. He was 25 years of age.
“My son died of starvation” says the 80 year old mother of Lakhman, who was totally dependent upon Lakhman for her livelihood.
Lakhman has three brothers, who are living under the same roof but are separate families. The BPL card owned by their parents is the only precious thing they possess. They get 30 kgs of rice and distribute that among themselves. The BPL card shows that, they have not received PDS rice for last 5 months.
Lakhman got ill last month and was unable to work. As he stopped working, it became difficult for him to feed the family consisting of his wife, small child and his mother. So his wife went to Raipur with the little child to search for livelihood.
Lakhman was regularly going to Raipur to pull rickshaw to maintain the family till last year. He proposed Bela Jagat for marriage but could not arrange money for the ceremony. So they started living together 3 years ago. They have a daughter of 8 months. This year they wanted to stay back at home.
“He thought that the government would start job work early this year due to drought” says Lakhman’s brother - Shyamaghana. “But, the work did not start, so Lakhman’s wife went to Raipur” he adds.
“The family was dependent on ‘KILO Chaul’ (BPL rice). When it was stopped, the family suffered” says Jujesthi Jagat of the village.
It is a fact that the PDS rice has not been supplied since July. The entries in most of the BPL cards shows the date 11/07/2011, as the last entry for supply of rice. The villagers have received rice of 90 kgs each for the months of April, May and June.
The villagers have reported about these irregularities to the BDO, CSO and even the district Collector. But no one responded. “The rice stock is rotting in the Panchayat godown, but it is not being distributed. Instead, on 21/9/2011, the Marketing Inspector of the block and the Executive Officer the Panchayat were trying to transport 62 bags of rice without the knowledge of the Sarpanch to sell that on black” say the villagers. The truck carrying the stock was caught by the villagers and handed over to the police. It is interesting that, although both the M.I. and the E.O. were responsible for the crime – only the E.O. was sent to jail.
The M.I. to get rid of the villagers assured that, he would distribute rice on 22/9/2011. He gave this assurance in writing but did not keep the promise.
The villagers filed a complaint before the B.D.O. on 10/10/2011. The B.D.O. assured to supply rice within a week but he even did not take step.
The next complaint was made to Collector and the CSO on 23/10/2011 in their respective offices at Nuapada. As the Collector was not available, the complaint was dropped in the complaint box. The letter of the CSO was given to him in his office. But they did not take step immediately.
The EO of a nearby Panchayat was given the charge of Karanbaheli Panchayat to distribute the rice. He came to the village on 17th of November to distribute rice for the month of October. Karanbaheli Panchayat has a quota of 273 quintals of rice per month. A total quantity of more than 1000 quintals was the requirement for four months. However, the EO transported only 125 quintals in total. This enraged the villagers. They objected and demanded quota from July to October but the EO was unable to provide the same. The villagers locked the Panchayat godown and said that the godown will remain close till the full quota is provided. By that time 16 quintals had already been distributed to the card holders of Karanbaheli village.
Does this insensitivity of the officials resulted in the death of Lakhman ? The dead body was taken by the police for post mortem. It is sure that, the doctor would not certify this as a starvation death. No one can die of starvation in a country where millions of tons of rice stock is available.
The villagers say that, the countdown has started. Durbal Nag of the village with BPL number 3656 is awaiting his death. “Agriculture labour is not available in the village, where I could have earned wage in terms of paddy to feed my husband and the son” says the wife of Durbal who is on the bad for last one month. Durbal’s only son is an orthopedically handicapped. Durbal’s wife can not go out of the village to find employment leaving the sick husband at home. Durbal is more than 60 years but is not supported under any Social Security Scheme.
The support system in the village has totally broken due to drought this year. Agricultural labour is not at all available.
The situation of Ratnakar Nag – 55 and his mother Bijli – 85 is pitiable. Ratnakar is unable to work since last 3 months. Bijli cooks food and takes care of his son. The only source of income is the Old Age Pension of Bijli. In the absence of PDS, they are not able to purchase rice in open market for the whole month.
Sobhasing Sunani aged 70 is BPL no-3607. He is living by begging. “I have not received rice since July” he says.
There are thousand of Sobhasings, Lakhmans, Ratnakars and Durbals in villages, who are starving without food and …………..we have millions of tons food stocks rotting in the godowns.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Monday, September 13, 2010
BPL households deprived of BPL rice
When tons of grains are rotting in the go downs of India, the poor villagers in Sardhapur village of Nuapada district are deprived of their right to BPL grains.
It is a matter of great surprise and concern that forty four BPL house holds of Ward Number 8 of Sardhapur Panchayat in Khariar block have not been provided the BPL cards although they are enlisted as BPL in the 1997 BPL list (Page 92 of the list). The villagers have reported that they have been deprived of their rights and benefits for last 10 years.
These villagers have requested the block and the DRDA officials time and again about this but no one has listened to them. It is difficult to understand why the concerned officials have failed to address such an urgent issue. Who is responsible / accountable for such insensible action ?
Forty out of the total neglected households belong to two Adivasi groups (Gond and Paharia). You ask the people and they will answer – “the government officials are snatching our daily food for last 2 elections”.
22 households of the mentioned deprived families live in Jubrajpur hamlet (part of the Ward – 8) of Sardhapur village which is at a distance of 3 kms from the main village. The children and the women can not cover this distance to reach to the Anganwadi centre to take their share. They have demanded their names to be included in the list of Majhipada Anganwadi centre located half km far from their village. But their demand has not been accepted.
The BDO, Khariar was informed about this matter a few days back. Verifying the BPL list available in the block office, he has found that the matter is true. The villagers say that all the previous BDOs have also found this truth but no one has taken the step to frovide them their share.
There is no accountability. Thus there will not be any urgent action also.
It is a matter of great surprise and concern that forty four BPL house holds of Ward Number 8 of Sardhapur Panchayat in Khariar block have not been provided the BPL cards although they are enlisted as BPL in the 1997 BPL list (Page 92 of the list). The villagers have reported that they have been deprived of their rights and benefits for last 10 years.
These villagers have requested the block and the DRDA officials time and again about this but no one has listened to them. It is difficult to understand why the concerned officials have failed to address such an urgent issue. Who is responsible / accountable for such insensible action ?
Forty out of the total neglected households belong to two Adivasi groups (Gond and Paharia). You ask the people and they will answer – “the government officials are snatching our daily food for last 2 elections”.
22 households of the mentioned deprived families live in Jubrajpur hamlet (part of the Ward – 8) of Sardhapur village which is at a distance of 3 kms from the main village. The children and the women can not cover this distance to reach to the Anganwadi centre to take their share. They have demanded their names to be included in the list of Majhipada Anganwadi centre located half km far from their village. But their demand has not been accepted.
The BDO, Khariar was informed about this matter a few days back. Verifying the BPL list available in the block office, he has found that the matter is true. The villagers say that all the previous BDOs have also found this truth but no one has taken the step to frovide them their share.
There is no accountability. Thus there will not be any urgent action also.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Land Distribution by Government not benefiting Landless
Tikchan Majhi, a tribal of Birighat village in Nuapada district became speechless, when he heard that the 2.34 acres of land which was under his possession for six decades has been distributed to 39 homesteadless households of his village in 2002. In the morning of 27th Dec 2009, the Revenue Inspector came to the village and started land demarcation to identify the plots distributed to homestead households. Tikchan got lost when the measuring chain of the RI covered all length and breadth of the lands he is cultivating. In the process it was found that the whole plots cultivated by Tikchan have been distributed to the homesteadless households.The RI asked Tikchan to vacate the plots.
Tikchan and his two brothers have inherited this land from their forefathers who had cleared the forest during early 50s and made that cultivable and fertile. Tikchan and his brothers have toiled hard to make the land more productive because this is the only source of income for their families with 12 members.
“I have obtained the lease patta of this land just a few years before the last settlement. I do not understand how it would be given to others when I have the lease documents.” Said Tikchan.
Records of Right of last settlements show that the land has been under Jabar Dakhal
(encroachment) of Tikchan and his ancestors. On the basis of this a lease patta has also been allotted to Tikchan. But unfortunately the same land has been recorded again as “Basti Yogya” (suitable for homestead) during last settlement and redistributed to the homesteadless households.
“My joy knew no bound when I was allotted a lease patta for the 2.34 acres land by the Tahasildar, Khariar just before the last settlement. I forgot that this cost me an expenditure of more than 17 thousand rupees. Now I do not understand why I was made landless again.” Said Tikchan.
Four decimal of land has been allotted to each of the 39 households from the 2.34 acres. But it is interesting that no one of them is interested to take that in to possession even after the demarcation and identification of the plots. “We do not want to make Tikchan landless.” Says Chhelia Majhi a homesteadless person of the same village who has been allotted a 4 decimal plot in the land of Tikchan. All other homesteadless express the same sentiment. “We are homesteadless no doubt, but we can not avail the lands at the cost of a poor man” they express.
It shows that the villagers are more sensible than the administration. This is the reason why this matter has not led to any conflict between them.
What is more peculiar is that, the land allotted to the people is on the bank of river Sundar and is flooded every year during the heavy rains. “We can not construct houses in that allotted land to face the wrath of nature” adds Anta Parabhoi – a beneficiary.
Tikchan has hired an advocate to fight his case in the court. He has already paid more than 7 thousand rupees for this but is uncertain because the court has not yet started any hearing. The cost of court case has now created a loan burden on Tikchan.
The Tahasildar, Khariar had asked Tikchan to obtain a stay from the court. “The Tahasildar has given me one month of time to obtain the stay but how can I do that? Asks Tikchan.
The Tahasildar on the contrary has expressed his helplessness. “I have to follow the rules. Tikchan must vacate the lands for the benefit of beneficiaries. There is no more suitable homestead land in the village to be allotted” he said.
This is not the only case of irony in Nuapada district. There are thousands of such cases where the homesteadless have been allotted lands decades back but the actual possession has not been given.
Dukhi Bhoi, Anta Bhoi and many other homesteadless families of this village are staying in the varanda of other households for years together. They have kept the pattas very carefully with the hope that a suitable plot will be allotted to them one day.
“I was allotted the Patta more than 7 years ago. I had requested the RI and the Tahasildar to identify the land but no one has paid a heed to my request.” Said Dukhi Bhoi.
In Dabri village of Khariar block 62 homesteadless households were allotted patta in the year 2003. The land was demarcated in May 2010 and it was found that the lands allotted are located on inaccessible hill slopes.
“We want to relocate the people of Dabri by canceling the present lease but unfortunately there is no more homestead land available in this village too.” Says Susanta Mishra. the Tahasildar of Khariar.
Land distribution programme in Nuapada district has not been implemented properly, which has made the physical possession impossible for the poor section of the society. In Ranimunda village such mindless distribution has led to conflict and court cases. Hiradhar Mangraj of
this village was allotted 0.97 acres of land in 1989 in 4 different places. He has not been allowed to enter the plots by the people who are cultivating these lands for long years.
“When I went to the plots to repair the embankment, Ganesh Hati who is cultivating the same plot came with an axe and threatened me to murder” said Hiradhar. Haridash filed a case with the Police. Ganesh agreed before the police to vacate the land but latter on shown another piece of barren government land. With hard labour Hiradhar converted that land in to a low land yielding 2 begs of paddy during Kharif. But he has not able to obtain the record of right.
“More than 50% of the beneficiaries of the land distribution programmes have not taken the lands in to their possession although they are continuously paying taxes.” Says Ajit Panda – a social Activist who had conducted a study on land distribution programmes in two Panchayats of Khariar block. According to this study only 41 percent of the allottees are in clear possession.
The district administration in Nuapada has allotted more than 20 thousand acres of lands to 36000 beneficiaries since independence. But the ground realities reveals that a large chunk of the beneficiaries are still struggling to have the actual possession.
“Land allotment to the landless has become a populist programme of the government to gain popularity. Achieving target may bring the change in numbers in pen and papers, but what is needed is a strong land reform for a real structural change in the land relationship.” Says Fanindam Deo – a researcher and the Principal of Khariar College.
Tikchan and his two brothers have inherited this land from their forefathers who had cleared the forest during early 50s and made that cultivable and fertile. Tikchan and his brothers have toiled hard to make the land more productive because this is the only source of income for their families with 12 members.
“I have obtained the lease patta of this land just a few years before the last settlement. I do not understand how it would be given to others when I have the lease documents.” Said Tikchan.
Records of Right of last settlements show that the land has been under Jabar Dakhal
(encroachment) of Tikchan and his ancestors. On the basis of this a lease patta has also been allotted to Tikchan. But unfortunately the same land has been recorded again as “Basti Yogya” (suitable for homestead) during last settlement and redistributed to the homesteadless households.
“My joy knew no bound when I was allotted a lease patta for the 2.34 acres land by the Tahasildar, Khariar just before the last settlement. I forgot that this cost me an expenditure of more than 17 thousand rupees. Now I do not understand why I was made landless again.” Said Tikchan.
Four decimal of land has been allotted to each of the 39 households from the 2.34 acres. But it is interesting that no one of them is interested to take that in to possession even after the demarcation and identification of the plots. “We do not want to make Tikchan landless.” Says Chhelia Majhi a homesteadless person of the same village who has been allotted a 4 decimal plot in the land of Tikchan. All other homesteadless express the same sentiment. “We are homesteadless no doubt, but we can not avail the lands at the cost of a poor man” they express.
It shows that the villagers are more sensible than the administration. This is the reason why this matter has not led to any conflict between them.
What is more peculiar is that, the land allotted to the people is on the bank of river Sundar and is flooded every year during the heavy rains. “We can not construct houses in that allotted land to face the wrath of nature” adds Anta Parabhoi – a beneficiary.
Tikchan has hired an advocate to fight his case in the court. He has already paid more than 7 thousand rupees for this but is uncertain because the court has not yet started any hearing. The cost of court case has now created a loan burden on Tikchan.
The Tahasildar, Khariar had asked Tikchan to obtain a stay from the court. “The Tahasildar has given me one month of time to obtain the stay but how can I do that? Asks Tikchan.
The Tahasildar on the contrary has expressed his helplessness. “I have to follow the rules. Tikchan must vacate the lands for the benefit of beneficiaries. There is no more suitable homestead land in the village to be allotted” he said.
This is not the only case of irony in Nuapada district. There are thousands of such cases where the homesteadless have been allotted lands decades back but the actual possession has not been given.
Dukhi Bhoi, Anta Bhoi and many other homesteadless families of this village are staying in the varanda of other households for years together. They have kept the pattas very carefully with the hope that a suitable plot will be allotted to them one day.
“I was allotted the Patta more than 7 years ago. I had requested the RI and the Tahasildar to identify the land but no one has paid a heed to my request.” Said Dukhi Bhoi.
In Dabri village of Khariar block 62 homesteadless households were allotted patta in the year 2003. The land was demarcated in May 2010 and it was found that the lands allotted are located on inaccessible hill slopes.
“We want to relocate the people of Dabri by canceling the present lease but unfortunately there is no more homestead land available in this village too.” Says Susanta Mishra. the Tahasildar of Khariar.
Land distribution programme in Nuapada district has not been implemented properly, which has made the physical possession impossible for the poor section of the society. In Ranimunda village such mindless distribution has led to conflict and court cases. Hiradhar Mangraj of
this village was allotted 0.97 acres of land in 1989 in 4 different places. He has not been allowed to enter the plots by the people who are cultivating these lands for long years.
“When I went to the plots to repair the embankment, Ganesh Hati who is cultivating the same plot came with an axe and threatened me to murder” said Hiradhar. Haridash filed a case with the Police. Ganesh agreed before the police to vacate the land but latter on shown another piece of barren government land. With hard labour Hiradhar converted that land in to a low land yielding 2 begs of paddy during Kharif. But he has not able to obtain the record of right.
“More than 50% of the beneficiaries of the land distribution programmes have not taken the lands in to their possession although they are continuously paying taxes.” Says Ajit Panda – a social Activist who had conducted a study on land distribution programmes in two Panchayats of Khariar block. According to this study only 41 percent of the allottees are in clear possession.
The district administration in Nuapada has allotted more than 20 thousand acres of lands to 36000 beneficiaries since independence. But the ground realities reveals that a large chunk of the beneficiaries are still struggling to have the actual possession.
“Land allotment to the landless has become a populist programme of the government to gain popularity. Achieving target may bring the change in numbers in pen and papers, but what is needed is a strong land reform for a real structural change in the land relationship.” Says Fanindam Deo – a researcher and the Principal of Khariar College.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Social Audit of Land distribution scheme
Social Audit of Land distribution Scheme.
Place: Ranimunda and Birighat of Khariar Block
Date:13 & 29/12/2009
Process adopted:
1. Information from the Revenue department on land distribution obtained.
2. Collected information from the beneficiaries on the status of the land allotted to him/her. Compared information obtained from Tahasil to find out discrepancies.
3. Social Audit at Panchayat level conducted involving the Revenue officials and other stakeholders to make the land distribution programme effective.
4. Follow up action undertaken: Immediate identification and demarcation of land in favour of the beneficiaries was taken up by the Revenue Officials.
Social audits of land distribution were conducted at Ranimunda and Birighat Panchayats of Khariar Block in Nuapada district respectively on 13th and 29th of December 2009. A total number of 124 People of 4 villages of Ranimunda Panchayat had participated in the programme conducted at Ranimu.nda. In the programme of Birighat the number of participants was 108. Tahasildar and the Revenue Inspector / Amin were present from the government side. Two advocates had also been invited to go in to the complexities of the cases. The other participants were the Journalists, Lecturers, NGO personnel and Social Activists. The objectives of conducting this programme were,
• To discuss about the status of implementation of land distribution scheme of the government and efforts of the Government officials to implement the same.
• To understand how land distribution has been helpful in increasing socio-economic status of the landless house holds in the villages.
• To review how the land distribution schemes have achieved its primary objective of increasing access of the landless households to land.
• To involve the government officials especially of the revenue department to take action to help people to have access to the lands that they have been allotted.
Social audits in all the villages of Ranimunda and Birighat Panchayats had already been conducted prior to the Panchayat level programmes. Informations gathered at village level social audit programmes had been consolidated and all the land related problems had been placed in 5 groups,
1. Beneficiaries who have got pattas of homestead lands in 1989 (4 decimals each) but have not seen the same. They have requested the Revenue officials several times for identification and demarcation of lands but have failed to get their support. 70 such cases were identified
2. Beneficiaries / households who had got patta of the lease lands and have the lands demarcated but are not in possession of the said lands due to encroachment by some other farmers in the village. 9 such cases were there in the Panchayat.
3. Beneficiaries who have been shown homestead land by the revenue officials more than a decade back but the pattas have not been issued to them.
4. Beneficiaries who have got patta of lease land but have not seen the land. They had paid rent of the lands for 3 years but after the land settlement operations the rent is no more taken from them.
5. Landless households (sukhbasi) who neither have homestead nor agriculture land. 34 households were identified landless.
All the above mentioned issues were discussed in detail in the Panchayat Level Social Audits. It was found that the administration has not initiated any step in the past years to identify and demarcate lands of the beneficiaries. The R.Is. and the Tahasildar have visited Ranimunda and Birighat villages just before the Social Audit programmes and demarcated lands of a total of 83 beneficiaries.
The following decisions and steps were taken,
1. In the case of non-identification of 4 decimals homestead land it was found that, the beneficiaries have not adopted the due procedure. They have just asked the R.I. for identification and demarcation and the R.I has not responded.
The Tahasildar instructed the Revenue Inspector present in the social audit to demarcate the lands of these beneficiaries. All the 70 beneficiaries were given the possession of the lands immediately.
2. The beneficiaries in group two were assured of demarcation and eviction of encroachment through police protection.
3. In case of the beneficiaries in group 3 it was decided that the people will apply for land immediately and the plots in their possession will be settled in their name if they are homesteadless.
4. The case in group 4 could not be verified immediately because that needed a Hal and Sabik comparison to ascertain status of the said lands. The lands might have reverted to the government Khata in the last settlement. It was thus decided that if the Kisam (type) of the said lands are still unchanged, then the beneficiaries would be given the possession and due steps would be taken to update documents. But in case the Kisam (type) are already changed to reserve categories then the beneficiaries would be given some other lands in the village.
5. The homesteadless households were asked to file application in the Tahasil immediately. It was assured that steps would be initiate immediately.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Doctors and Nurses in Khariar UGPHC make a business of 1.5 crores per year from people's helplessness.
A recent survey conducted by a people’s forum called Durnity Birodhi Manch in Nuapada district of Orissa (INDIA) on the impact of health programmes especially the much aspired National Rural Health Mission has revealed that there is rampant corruption in health sector. “More than rupees 6 lakhs is paid as corruption tax to the service providers in government health centres every year by every 1000 poor house holds of Khariar block of Nuapada district. In addition to this the corruption tax for institutional delivery for each pregnant woman is around Rs.3000/- in the government hospital. It is a business of more than 1.5 crore rupees per year for the hospital staffs at Khariar UGPSC only.” This is the statement of the members of Durnity Birodhi Manch in a press meet organised by the Voluntary organisations Ayauskam and Vikash at Khariar. The report says that,
1. More than 300 types of medicines are supplied under NRHM to the hospitals and health centers for distribution to the patients free of cost. But more than 95 percent people are unaware of this. This is because the health centres and the hospitals do not reveal the same and most of the drugs are sold to the patients.
2. 38 types of medicines and equipments are available in hospitals for free distribution to the pregnant women during delivery. But the people have to spend between Rs.400 to 500. The nurse even demand corruption tax for supply of delivery kits.
3. The doctor in charge of Institutional delivery demand money not less than Rs.700/- for conducting delivery. Issue of cheque is held up if this amount in not paid. More than 90 percent of the pregnant women admitted for institutional delivery have reported that they paid the corruption tax by mortgaging their movable assets.
4. The ASHAs are the new hope for the people. Institutional delivery in Nuapada district has increased to 42 percent from a mere 2 percent due to their hard work and motivational capacity. But it is unfortunate that they are not behaved properly. There is no facility of rest room or toilet in Khariar hospital for them.
A rally is going to be organised by the Durinity Birodhi Manch on 11.12.2009 at Khariar to protest against these corruption and exploitation.
Ajit Kumar panda
Tapan Ranjan Dash, District Correspondent, Doordarshan and AIR
Chitta Ranjan Sing Deo, Advocate
Bhabesh Panigrahi, Advocate.
1. More than 300 types of medicines are supplied under NRHM to the hospitals and health centers for distribution to the patients free of cost. But more than 95 percent people are unaware of this. This is because the health centres and the hospitals do not reveal the same and most of the drugs are sold to the patients.
2. 38 types of medicines and equipments are available in hospitals for free distribution to the pregnant women during delivery. But the people have to spend between Rs.400 to 500. The nurse even demand corruption tax for supply of delivery kits.
3. The doctor in charge of Institutional delivery demand money not less than Rs.700/- for conducting delivery. Issue of cheque is held up if this amount in not paid. More than 90 percent of the pregnant women admitted for institutional delivery have reported that they paid the corruption tax by mortgaging their movable assets.
4. The ASHAs are the new hope for the people. Institutional delivery in Nuapada district has increased to 42 percent from a mere 2 percent due to their hard work and motivational capacity. But it is unfortunate that they are not behaved properly. There is no facility of rest room or toilet in Khariar hospital for them.
A rally is going to be organised by the Durinity Birodhi Manch on 11.12.2009 at Khariar to protest against these corruption and exploitation.
Ajit Kumar panda
Tapan Ranjan Dash, District Correspondent, Doordarshan and AIR
Chitta Ranjan Sing Deo, Advocate
Bhabesh Panigrahi, Advocate.
“Corruption in the health sector is rampant. More than rupees 6 lakhs is paid as corruption tax to the service providers in government health centres every year by the people of each Panchayat in Khariar block of Nuapada district. In addition to this the corruption tax for institutional delivery for each pregnant woman is around Rs.3000/- in the government hospital. It is a business of more than 1.5 crore rupees per year for the hospital staffs at Khariar UGPSC only.” This is the statement of the members of Durnity Birodhi Manch in a press meet organised by the Voluntary organisations Ayauskam and Vikash at Khariar.
Durnity Birodhi Manch is organizing a rally at Khariar on 11/12/2009 to protest against the corruption. People of all Panchayats of Khariar block are expected to arrive at Kh ariar on this day to join the rally. They have also decided to stage dharana in front of the Hospital. Members of Durnity Bichar Manch have said that a memorandum with 14 point demand has been framed which will be sent to the Chief Minister of Orissa”. The demands framed by the people are as follows,
1. Display of a list of medicines supplied by the government to the hospital under NRHM indicating stock situation.
2. Presence of the doctors and other service providers in hospital during duty hour. Private practice during hospital hour should be stopped.
3. Display of duty chart of the service staffs including Doctors and the nurses.
4. Relocation of the doctors and other service providers on deputation to their original location.
5. Distribution of medicines available under NRHM to patients free of cost.
6. Medicine stock register and the distribution register should remain open for public inspection.
7. Corruption free health services and institutional delivery should be available.
8. Proper treatment should be provided to the indoor patients.
9. Sufficient availability of medicines at village levels for malaria.
10. Payment of Cheque to the mothers should be given immediately after the institutional delivery instead of 7 days as in the present practice.
11. Provision of rest room for the ASHA.
12. The hospital staffs should behave properly to the patients and their relatives.
13. More provisions of janani Express (Ambulance) to reach the interior villages.
14. Special care should be taken for the Mal-naurished children.
“More than 2000 people are expected to arrive at the rally. The main objective of organizing this rally is to create an identity for the common people. The service providers should recognize that the poor people are capable of pressing their demands” the organisers of the rally have said.
Durnity Birodhi Manch is organizing a rally at Khariar on 11/12/2009 to protest against the corruption. People of all Panchayats of Khariar block are expected to arrive at Kh ariar on this day to join the rally. They have also decided to stage dharana in front of the Hospital. Members of Durnity Bichar Manch have said that a memorandum with 14 point demand has been framed which will be sent to the Chief Minister of Orissa”. The demands framed by the people are as follows,
1. Display of a list of medicines supplied by the government to the hospital under NRHM indicating stock situation.
2. Presence of the doctors and other service providers in hospital during duty hour. Private practice during hospital hour should be stopped.
3. Display of duty chart of the service staffs including Doctors and the nurses.
4. Relocation of the doctors and other service providers on deputation to their original location.
5. Distribution of medicines available under NRHM to patients free of cost.
6. Medicine stock register and the distribution register should remain open for public inspection.
7. Corruption free health services and institutional delivery should be available.
8. Proper treatment should be provided to the indoor patients.
9. Sufficient availability of medicines at village levels for malaria.
10. Payment of Cheque to the mothers should be given immediately after the institutional delivery instead of 7 days as in the present practice.
11. Provision of rest room for the ASHA.
12. The hospital staffs should behave properly to the patients and their relatives.
13. More provisions of janani Express (Ambulance) to reach the interior villages.
14. Special care should be taken for the Mal-naurished children.
“More than 2000 people are expected to arrive at the rally. The main objective of organizing this rally is to create an identity for the common people. The service providers should recognize that the poor people are capable of pressing their demands” the organisers of the rally have said.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Rice Millers in connivance with the corrupt officials of supply department and District Procurement Committee have produced more than 60 thousand quintals of paddy in papers during the Rabi season of 2008-09 in Nuapada district in Orissa State (INDIA). This has become possible even in the un-irrigated lands during Summer. They have made more than 6 crores rupees in this process. Information obtained through Right to Information Act from the District Civil Supply Office, Nuapada has revealed this scam.
Government has opened Mandis (Procurement Centres) in various places of the district to procure paddy from the farmers in prescribed rate (Minimum Support Price). Mandi at Khariar town and Tukla under Khariar Block are two of them. The papers obtained through RTI shows that the procurement centres at this two places have purchased more than 70 thousand quintals of paddy from 535 farmers of 79 villages during the Rabi (Summer paddy) where the total production according to Government sources was only about 7 thousand quintals. Verifications of facts of course reveal these picture.
1. Total production during the Rabi season-2008-09 in the villages those are covered under Khariar and Tukla Mandi (Villages in Khariar block and parts of Sinapali and Boden blocks) was not more than 7 thousand quintals (information from Agriculture department)
2. 48 villages out of the total 79 shown in the papers do not get irrigation at all during the Rabi. The farmers never cultivate paddy in these villages during Rabi. But the papers show that the total production in these unirrigated lands during that summer was 37547 quintal of paddy.
3. The rest 31 villages shown in the list get irrigation through Lift Irrigation points installed on the banks of river Sundar but had incurred more than 90 percent crop loss in 2229 acres of land during the Rabi-2008-09 due to shortage of water in the river. But the total production in these villages has been shown as 30289.41 quintals i.e. after a loss of more than 90 percent ! (Total production capacity of these lands at the rate of average 33 qtls per acre is 73557 quintals according to agriculture department.) As the flow of water in River Sundar was stopped by the dam authority at Tikhhali (Lower Inedra Irrigation Project) the sundar river dried. The irrigation department has been made accountable for this loss and people have been compensated for their loss during this season i.e. Rabi – 2008-09 by the irrigation department.
4. 63% of the total names mentioned in the list of farmers are fake names. They are not found in the villages as mentioned in the list.
5. 9 percent of the farmers appearing in the list are landless but they have sold paddy as farmers. They work / were working in the Rice Mills as labourers and the Millers have obtained Farmers Identity Cards in their (Labourers) names.
A few examples cane be given,
1. In Amlapali village of Khariar Block 5 marginal farmers (without having any facility of irrigation during Rabi) having a total of 13.45 acres of lands have sold 740 qtls of paddy. (in an average of 55.19 qtls per acre ! when the average yield per acre is as per govt. data is not more than 33 qtls in Rabi)
2. In the same Amlapali Village a farmer named Biseswar Punji, S/o Padmalochan Punji having 1.5 acres of unirrigated land has sold 260 quintals of paddy during Rabi – average of more than 133 qtls. per acre.
One will find a lot of incongruities like these in the papers provided by the supply department. These figures show the extent of manipulation in the paddy procurements by the Millers who make crores of rupees through fake business. Showing higher amounts of procurement in papers help the millers in two ways,
1. Earning money through custom milling: A conservative analysis of the above figures reveal that the millers have shown sale of at least 44 thousand quintals of rice to the government and in the open market. (producing @66 % rice per quintal of paddy through milling) This will amount to an income of more than Rs.7 crores of which 90% is earned through paper works.
2. Earning through black marketing of PDS rice: The gap generated through paper works is filled in by black marketing of PDS rice.
This paddy procurement – rice milling – PDS black marketing racket operates with full participation of the following departments / Institutions.
1. District Procurement Committee where the Collector is the Chairman
2. Civil Supply Department.
3. Tahasil department which issues fake cards to the fake farmers.
4. Banking Institutions which open Bank accounts in fake names.
We had filed a complaint in this regards before the D.G., Vigilance. He has ordered an inquiry. A vigilance team has already started operation. Let us see what the outcome is.
Ajit Kumar Panda
Chitta Ranjan Sing Deo, Advocate
Bhabesh Panigrahi, Advocate
Tapan Ranjan Dash, District Correspondent, Doordarshan, AIR
Saroj Nag, Social Activist
Government has opened Mandis (Procurement Centres) in various places of the district to procure paddy from the farmers in prescribed rate (Minimum Support Price). Mandi at Khariar town and Tukla under Khariar Block are two of them. The papers obtained through RTI shows that the procurement centres at this two places have purchased more than 70 thousand quintals of paddy from 535 farmers of 79 villages during the Rabi (Summer paddy) where the total production according to Government sources was only about 7 thousand quintals. Verifications of facts of course reveal these picture.
1. Total production during the Rabi season-2008-09 in the villages those are covered under Khariar and Tukla Mandi (Villages in Khariar block and parts of Sinapali and Boden blocks) was not more than 7 thousand quintals (information from Agriculture department)
2. 48 villages out of the total 79 shown in the papers do not get irrigation at all during the Rabi. The farmers never cultivate paddy in these villages during Rabi. But the papers show that the total production in these unirrigated lands during that summer was 37547 quintal of paddy.
3. The rest 31 villages shown in the list get irrigation through Lift Irrigation points installed on the banks of river Sundar but had incurred more than 90 percent crop loss in 2229 acres of land during the Rabi-2008-09 due to shortage of water in the river. But the total production in these villages has been shown as 30289.41 quintals i.e. after a loss of more than 90 percent ! (Total production capacity of these lands at the rate of average 33 qtls per acre is 73557 quintals according to agriculture department.) As the flow of water in River Sundar was stopped by the dam authority at Tikhhali (Lower Inedra Irrigation Project) the sundar river dried. The irrigation department has been made accountable for this loss and people have been compensated for their loss during this season i.e. Rabi – 2008-09 by the irrigation department.
4. 63% of the total names mentioned in the list of farmers are fake names. They are not found in the villages as mentioned in the list.
5. 9 percent of the farmers appearing in the list are landless but they have sold paddy as farmers. They work / were working in the Rice Mills as labourers and the Millers have obtained Farmers Identity Cards in their (Labourers) names.
A few examples cane be given,
1. In Amlapali village of Khariar Block 5 marginal farmers (without having any facility of irrigation during Rabi) having a total of 13.45 acres of lands have sold 740 qtls of paddy. (in an average of 55.19 qtls per acre ! when the average yield per acre is as per govt. data is not more than 33 qtls in Rabi)
2. In the same Amlapali Village a farmer named Biseswar Punji, S/o Padmalochan Punji having 1.5 acres of unirrigated land has sold 260 quintals of paddy during Rabi – average of more than 133 qtls. per acre.
One will find a lot of incongruities like these in the papers provided by the supply department. These figures show the extent of manipulation in the paddy procurements by the Millers who make crores of rupees through fake business. Showing higher amounts of procurement in papers help the millers in two ways,
1. Earning money through custom milling: A conservative analysis of the above figures reveal that the millers have shown sale of at least 44 thousand quintals of rice to the government and in the open market. (producing @66 % rice per quintal of paddy through milling) This will amount to an income of more than Rs.7 crores of which 90% is earned through paper works.
2. Earning through black marketing of PDS rice: The gap generated through paper works is filled in by black marketing of PDS rice.
This paddy procurement – rice milling – PDS black marketing racket operates with full participation of the following departments / Institutions.
1. District Procurement Committee where the Collector is the Chairman
2. Civil Supply Department.
3. Tahasil department which issues fake cards to the fake farmers.
4. Banking Institutions which open Bank accounts in fake names.
We had filed a complaint in this regards before the D.G., Vigilance. He has ordered an inquiry. A vigilance team has already started operation. Let us see what the outcome is.
Ajit Kumar Panda
Chitta Ranjan Sing Deo, Advocate
Bhabesh Panigrahi, Advocate
Tapan Ranjan Dash, District Correspondent, Doordarshan, AIR
Saroj Nag, Social Activist
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